She only nodded.
“There are still good people here. Ava. Not everyone is up to no good.” I didn’t know why I felt the need to emphasize that. Maybe because I was desperate for her to see that I was one of those good people, despite my mistake years ago. I tortured myself every day for hurting her the way I did.
She looked at me then. Her expression softened, and something flickered in her eyes—affection, maybe. One could hope.
“I know, Lincoln. I guess I have to wait until your party to see if I get anything.”
I had a feeling she would. All the right people had RSVP’d—so many people whom I barely even exchanged a word with in passing. That was Hollywood for you. There was no need for deeper, genuine connections. All you needed was money, a famous name, some clout, and people flocked to you. The lure of an extravagant party on a private island also helped.
Ava drained her glass and turned to me. “I still can’t believe you’re doing all of this just to help me.”
It was like she was waiting to find out what the catch was. Unfortunately, there was still a little skepticism in her eyes when she looked at me—completely my fault. I’d simply have to work to get rid of her doubt.
When I took the last sip of my drink, Ava stepped forward without a word and plucked the glass from my hands. I watched,amused and confused, as she walked to the bar, her hips swaying, to put the glasses down. She then walked back to me, her eyes locked with mine, unwaveringly.
I lifted an eyebrow. “I thought you were going to pour us more drinks.”
She stopped in front of me, close enough that I could count the freckles across her nose. “No,” she said, her voice low. “I want something else.”
The words hung between us. There could have been a sexual suggestion hidden in there somewhere, but I’d learned not to assume anything. “What is it that you want?”
Her eyelashes lowered, and pink tinged her cheeks. “Was that night between us a one-time thing?”
My pulse ticked up. I wanted nothing more than to kiss her. She was so close… temptation within reach. “What makes you think that?”
“Because…” She peeked through her lashes. “You haven’t tried to touch me since. I’ve been crashing at your apartment for four days now and nothing…”
I swallowed hard as I watched the disappointment flicker on her face. Satisfaction surged through me. I’d been patiently waiting for this. For her to tell me that she wanted me.
“And that’s not alright with you?” It took every ounce of control not to have her naked and under me already.
Her eyelashes fluttered up. “Not at all.”
My exhale came out with a little laugh. “Ava, I didn’t want to push. I didn’t want you to think I convinced you to stay here with ulterior motives. I want a repeat of the other night.” I craved it. “But…”
“You were being a gentleman?”
“It’s been so fucking hard,” I confessed. The number of times I jacked off, knowing she was under my roof… I think I broke a world record.
Her giggle, ringing with satisfaction, surrounded us. “You can stop being a gentleman now.”
I grinned as she clutched my lapels and pulled me in. She kissed me with the same passion I poured into it. As if we wanted to devour each other. Her palms slid over my chest, and I circled her waist to pull her closer. She tasted like heat and the citrus cocktail she’d just had. Delicious.
Every soft sound she made as I ravenously explored her mouth pushed me further. I walked her back, never breaking our connection, until her back pressed against the glass of the window. I moved away from her lips to trail kisses along her jaw and down her neck, while my fingers found the zipper of her gown.
She moaned and tilted her head. “Lincoln, I need more. Please.”
Her breathy plea did something to me. The note of desperation in her voice made me feel wanted.
“Don’t worry, baby. I’ll give you everything you need,” I rasped, dropping to my knees as her dress fell to the pool around her feet. I helped her step out of the elaborate creation and shoved it aside. When I looked up at her from that angle, I groaned. She wore a lace set that left little to the imagination. The way the fabric molded her curves was just… sinful.
Heat simmered in her eyes as she gazed at me. Her lips glistened from my hungry kisses, and they parted as she breathed heavily.
“Damn…” I drank her in. “Ava, you’re unreal.” She looked like a goddess.
She bit her bottom lip, pleasure swirling in her eyes.
“Take your hair down,” I murmured.
